The Barossa Council should engage in further community consultation and revisit their Decision to close the Nuriootpa Memorial Pool, according to the Member for Light and Candidate for Schubert, Mr Tony Piccolo.

Mr Piccolo said he has written to the Council and strongly encouraged them to undertake further public consultation to make the process fairer and ensure that any final Decision made by council has broad community support.

“From what residents have told me personally and reading the feedback in the local newspaper, it is clear the Decision by the Council to close the pool has shocked the local community.” said Mr Piccolo.

“I have respectfully asked that council genuinely reconsider their Decision to close the pool in April 2021, and as a minimum keep the pool open until a publicly acceptable alternative is determined.”

“The pool is an important community location for social interaction, safe recreation, and physical activity to support good health and mental wellbeing, particularly in the forthcoming summer swimming season, on the back of COVID-19 enforced isolation and social distancing,” said Mr Piccolo.

“The need for an upgraded pool in the current site has significant local support.”

“Many local people in the Barossa have contacted me saying that the pool is a vital community facility.”

“Local schools are in limbo as they rely on the pool for summer competitions and events. I am told that over the last swimming season the Faith Lutheran aquatic day hosted more than 600 students, Nuriootpa High School more than 900, there were about 300 Craigmore Year 8s and the SAPSASA swimming carnival hosted about 400 competitors.”

On 15 September the Barossa Council Decided to close Nuriootpa War Memorial Swimming Pool, leaving the community without an outdoor public pool in Nuriootpa after April 2021.

Mr Piccolo said he acknowledges the financial challenge for council to upgrade or replace the pool and the significant funds invested to maintain the current pool, but stressed that council should negotiate an alternative facility with the community before the current pool is shut down.

Mr Piccolo commended council for exploring options for an alternative facility and the work already undertaken on the draft Aquatic Strategy 2020-2070, but highlighted that any new facility must be able to service the growing local population including families, young people, seniors and people living with a disability.

An online petition has already attracted more than 2700 signatures since the council’s Decision. Mr Piccolo was also presented with a hard copy petition by Tracey Sholz from the Nuriootpa War Memorial Pool Working Group.

If you would like to sign the petition copies are also at:

• Linke’s Bakery, Nuriootpa

• Office National, Nuriootpa

• L&H Electrical, Nuriootpa

• Barossa Village Gym, Nuriootpa

• Kids Unite, Angaston

• The Brauhaus, Angaston

• The Real Pantry, Angaston

• Tailormade, Angaston

• Hive, Angaston

• Greenock Deli

• Greenock Post Office

“The current pool has immense historic and cultural significance with the community having a strong sense of ownership.”

“It was built as a living memorial to those who served our nation during WW2 so any plans to change it needs, to be handled with sensitivity.”